Study Interior Design, why & how to study
Interior Design lets you flex your creative muscles by transforming dull inside spaces into visually pleasing and healthy environments.
CONTENTS
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What’s Interior Design?
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What Interior Design degrees can you study?
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What do you need to get onto an Interior Design degree?
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What topics does an Interior Design degree cover?
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How will you be assessed?
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Why study Interior Design?
- Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Interior Design degree?
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What do Interior Design graduates earn?
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What jobs can you get as an Interior Design graduate?
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
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Similar subjects to Interior Design
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Have any questions?
What’s Interior Design?
With Interior Design, you learn how to enhance the inside of a building and create an aesthetically pleasing interior environment. It’s a multidisciplinary subject that takes from areas of architecture, art and technology, where you gain the skills needed for improving both public and private spaces.
What Interior Design degrees can you study?
Undergraduate Interior Design degrees on offer in the UK include:
- Interior Architecture and Design BA
- Interior Design BA
- Interior and Environmental Design BDes
- Interior and Spatial Design BA
Several options include a year abroad or industry placement as part of the course.
What do you need to get onto an Interior Design degree?
Must have
Most undergraduate Interior Design courses ask for around 112–128 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below:
- A Levels: AAB–BBC
- BTECs: DDM–DMM
- Scottish Highers: AABBB–BBBB
- IB: 34–26
- Universities will usually ask for an art-related subject
Good to have
- Studied fine art, graphic design, textiles and mathematics at A Level or equivalent
- Shadowing or work experience in a design agency or similar environment
- Portfolio showing previous creative work and artistic potential
What topics does an Interior Design degree cover?
Typical modules for courses in this subject include:
- Digital technologies
- Visual communication
- Creative analysis
- Critical perspectives
- Observation and surveying
- Drawing for design
- Environment and atmosphere
How will you be assessed?
Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:
- Coursework
- Essays
- Practical design projects
- Portfolios
- Presentations
Why study Interior Design?
Career-specific skills:
- Creative design
- Construction
- Visual communication
- Spatial awareness
- Sustainable practice
- Trend identification
- Computer knowledge
Transferable skills:
- Interpersonal
- Customer service
- Computer software
- Project management
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Organisation
- Communication
Professional accreditations:
- Chartered Society of Designers
Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.
What do Interior Design graduates earn?
When starting as a graduate interior designer, you can expect an entry-level salary of around £24,000.
The average salary for an interior designer in the UK is about £35,000. Salaries can be higher than £45,000 for those with lots of experience.
Read more on what graduates do and earn here.
What jobs can you get as an Interior Design graduate?
Interior design graduates work for a wide range of sectors, including education, retail, entertainment, hospitality, business, manufacturing, the built environment and media. Examples of roles that graduates go into:
- Interior designer
- Architect
- Lighting designer
- Theatre set designer
- Interior consultant
- Visual merchandiser
- Exhibition design
- Furniture design
- Computer game designer
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Examples of postgraduate courses available at universities in the UK:
- Interior, Architectural and Spatial Design MA
- Interior Design MA
Similar subjects to Interior Design
Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:
Have any questions?
Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
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